Karen Combellack
I am an Account Executive at J M Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Real Estate Ltd which is a boutique insurance broker working exclusively in the real estate and construction sector.
I am also an experienced and knowledgeable property management professional, with dedication to consistently delivering results through excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Tell us a little bit about your business… / or the organisation you work for.
J.M.Glendinning Real Estate is part of the J.M.Glendinning Group, a top 75 UK insurance broker, established in 1973. We have access to the whole of the insurance market providing our clients with the best possible insurance solution. We don’t pretend to be the biggest or something we are not. We are really good at recruiting the best people in our market, looking after them and freeing them up to focus on what our customers want from us – professional advice, creating competition for their risk and sorting it out if they have a claim. We pride ourselves on this.
- How did you get into the industry?
Having worked in Property Management at senior level for a number of years, I was looking for a new challenge. My objective was to use the transferable skills I had and to keep in contact with my many friends and acquaintances in the property world as I could. An opportunity arose and I found myself in the wonderful world of Real Estate Insurance.
- What are the biggest opportunities and challenges in your industry?
Opportunities are all around us every day. Being my authentic self in a company that encourages growth and inclusion has meant that I have not only maintained relationships but continue to forge new ones too. The challenges we face are the destructive events caused by the weather which result in an increase in claims and subsequently an increase in premiums. Together as a team we tackle these issues head on by speaking regularly with our customers and insurers alike.
- How would you describe your leadership style? (if not in a leadership role talk about your working style)
I made it a priority to research the company I work for prior to joining and I know they did their homework on me too. Being able to fit into a team in terms of work style and personality is key for us all. I love working collaboratively with the team and am detail oriented. Honesty and integrity and great customer service are key for me too.
- How do you get the most out of the people who work for you? (or work with you)
Understanding each other’s strengths and weaknesses is the sign of a great team. None of us are good at everything but together we are phenomenal! If you can achieve that in your working environment, I believe you have hit the jackpot. We lift each other up in times of need and face challenges together. Noone is afraid to ask a question and we get out what we put into the business. Our foundations are solid.
- What are the most crucial elements to your business running smoothly and being successful?
The most crucial elements to the business running smoothly are a good boss, the team, a common goal (plan) so we know where we are going and how we are planning to get there, regular reviews to make sure we are on track and to alter the plan if we need to with everyone’s buy in, the right systems in place so that the business could continue if a team member was away from the office unexpectedly, longevity of our valued customers – we work hard to win them, we want to keep them and attract more! Last but not least is to ensure that payment is received on time.
- How has the past 12 months been for you?
The past 12 months have been fabulous. You don’t always recognise blessings you receive in disguise but if you have faith, you find that they really are. I work with a great team with good ethics and a will to succeed together. Our customers are longstanding and new customers come to us through word of mouth. I learn something new almost every day and feel that I have grown again over the last 12 months in a very positive way.
- What will the next 12 months look like for you or your business?
The next 12 months will see more of the same with tweaks here and there depending upon any legislative changes or weather events. We will continue to provide help and support to our customers and navigate the insurance world with the help of the many Insurance Companies that we work with. Our relationships will strengthen with each other in the team and with everyone else who we come into contact with. I’m excited for the year ahead with JMG.
- What are the highlights of your career so far?
The people I have met throughout my career is my biggest highlight. Without them, I would not have had the opportunities I have had or been able to share my knowledge mentoring some amazing individuals, all of whom have gone on to bigger and brighter things. It makes me so very proud.
- What’s the biggest professional / business mistake that you’ve learnt from?
My biggest mistake has been staying in a role longer than I should have. I have never been a quitter but in hindsight I can see that moving on a little sooner may have been the best option for me. Sometimes, you can’t see that though when you are in it and it’s not until you are out of it that you realise. I’ve learned to listen to myself a little more and if something is bothering me, I talk about it with my Managing Director. He has taken the time to get to know our team and can often tell when there is something on our minds. This is priceless.
- What’s the best piece of professional / business advice you’ve been given or would like to give?
You get one shot at this thing called life. Don’t settle. If you want to try something different, do it! Always be honest as you can never be caught out in a lie. Always be polite and remember that when someone gives you a hard time, its often not even about you, it’s about them. Listen more than you speak. Every once in a while, stop and reflect on how you’ve grown. We spend so much of our lives running round doing things, we forget to stop and give ourselves a well-deserved pat on the back. Lastly, be kind, always. The world doesn’t have enough of this.
